Body Louse Pathogen Surveillance among Persons Experiencing Homelessness, Canada, 2020-2021

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Jul;30(7):1450-1453. doi: 10.3201/eid3007.231660.

Abstract

We analyzed body lice collected from persons experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, during 2020-2021 to confirm vector species and ecotype and to identify louseborne pathogens. Of 556 lice analyzed from 7 persons, 17 louse pools (218 lice) from 1 person were positive for the louseborne bacterium Bartonella quintana.

Keywords: Bartonella; Canada; Pediculus humanus humanus; bacteria; body louse; ectoparasitosis; homelessness; lice; parasites; pediculosis; trench fever; vector-borne infections.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bartonella quintana / genetics
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons*
  • Lice Infestations* / epidemiology
  • Lice Infestations* / parasitology
  • Male
  • Manitoba / epidemiology
  • Pediculus* / microbiology